How to Get Rid of Tree Frogs in Your House
Frogs and toads may be fun to come across when you're exploring a forest or pond, but they're not as exciting to come across in large numbers, especially when they've infiltrated your property.
Frogs especially are known for their loud croaking, which can go on and on in the middle of the night. Worse, if you do have an abundance of frogs on your property, this likely means you have other pest issues as well.
Are you wondering how to get rid of frogs? If so, you've come to the right place!
But First, Let's Talk About Why You Have Frogs To Begin With
Like all pests, frogs are attracted to sources that contain food, shelter and water.
Frogs are common throughout the United States, but they can be more common in certain states or regions than others. This is especially true if you live in warm, humid environments or if you live near a permanent water source like a pond or lake.
Like all animals, frogs have three basic necessities in order to survive – food, water and shelter. This means that if you have frogs in your yard, your yard likely is conducive to what frogs need in order to thrive.
Let's learn more.
Food
Frogs are carnivorous amphibians and are often described as opportunistic predators. They generally feed on whichever live insects are in the area.
Because they eat such a wide variety of insects, frogs can be highly beneficial to yards and gardens in smaller numbers. However, if you notice an abundance of frogs in your yard or on your property, then there's a good chance you have a large number of insects there as well.
Some of the most common insects frogs are known for devouring include flies, mealworms, slugs, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, caterpillars, and worms.
Some species of frogs have even been known to eat rodents like mice!
Water
Where there are frogs, there is going to be water. If you're wondering how to get rid of frogs completely, you might need to reconsider your garden's design. Frogs will not live somewhere for long periods without a good source of water, and this will typically be a permanent water source like a lake or pond, as we mentioned above.
With that being said, frogs can still do well in lush yards that have been heavily watered or in areas where man-made ponds are built. They have also been known to congregate around stagnant water sources like bird baths and children's pools.
We should note here that excess water on your property will also likely lead to an excess of insects, especially pests like mosquitoes. In fact, mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water sources, and so do frogs.
Shelter
Another common reason you may have frogs in your yard or on your property is due to having the kind of elements that provide shelter they like. When it comes to how to get rid of frogs, you'll likely need to get rid of a bit of debris around your home. This could include leaf litter, overturned buckets, wood piles, dead trees and branches, and more.
Longer grass or dense, lush gardens or shrubs can also make good hiding places for frogs.
Keep in mind that frogs hibernate, so they may choose different hiding places or areas to shelter during winter.
Depending on the species, some frogs will hibernate on land while others hibernate at the bottom of ponds or lakes.
Are Frogs Good Or Bad To Have In A Garden?
Frogs can actually be very beneficial to your garden.
For the most part, a frog or two can be a great addition to a yard or garden. Remember, these amphibians eat a wide variety of insects, including biting mosquitoes, annoying flies, and garden-killing slugs.
However, frogs procreate rapidly and in large numbers they are not only a nuisance, but they are also a sign of a bigger pest problem. Furthermore, a large number of frogs may attract other predators including snakes to your property, which can lead to an entirely new set of problems.
So, while you are looking into how to get rid of frogs, we encourage you to also consider the pros and cons of keeping them around.
The Pros of Having Frogs In Your Garden
- Frogs eat a wide variety of pesky insects
- A frog or two in your garden is a good sign – it means your garden is thriving!
- It is relatively simple to keep frog populations under control
- Frogs don't harm plants or foliage
- They are fun to watch and interesting to learn about
- Providing a safe place for a frog or two to live is an eco-friendly way you can help support the efforts of wildlife conservation
The Cons of Having Frogs In Your Garden
- Some frogs could be poisonous or toxic to pets and people
- Frogs are prolific breeders and procreate rapidly
- Certain species of frogs have loud croaks which can be a nuisance, especially at night
- Too many frogs could be an indicator of an abundance of insects
- Frogs may attract other pests to your property like snakes
How To Get Rid Of Frogs – What You Should Know First
Some species of frog in the US are considered protected.
The main reason you're here is because you want to know how to get rid of frogs. While frogs are technically not that difficult to control and get rid of once you know what to do, there is a catch you should know about.
Currently, there are an estimated 90 different species of frogs living throughout the United States. Many of these species are, unfortunately, living on the brink of extinction. This means that there are quite a few frogs in the US that are on the protected species list, which means your methods for removal will need to be considered carefully.
In some regions and with some species, removal or relocation of frogs may be illegal. In other regions, harming or killing frogs is illegal, though you may be allowed to relocate them.
So, how do you get rid of frogs if they are protected? The good news is that you can work to make your yard less hospitable to them, thus encouraging them to move on on their own.
But we will talk about that further down. For now, let's take a quick moment to talk about how to identify frogs from toads, as the method for removal for each is different.
Frogs Vs Toads – How To Tell The Difference
Toads, left, have dry skin and bumps. They also have shorter legs. Frogs, right, have longer legs and smooth, slimy skin.
Frogs and toads have long been confused for one another, and it's easy to see why. At first glance, these two animals look quite similar. However, it's important to know what you're dealing with before you begin making your game plan for how to get rid of frogs.
If you're working on how to get rid of frogs when you really have toads, you'll be wasting your time.
So, how do you know for sure? Let's find out.
Frogs:
Frogs can vary in size, color and even shape depending on their species. However, there are some key differences that set them apart from toads.
Frogs generally prefer moist, water-rich areas and spend much of their time in water. They have smooth, slimy skin, long legs they use for hopping, and large, bulging eyes.
Toads:
Toads generally prefer to spend time on land, but this is not the most distinguishing of their features that sets them apart from frogs.
Unlike frogs, toads have dry, bumpy skin. They also have short legs and do not so much hop as they do crawl about.
So, Do You Have Frogs?
If you have an amphibian with long legs, smooth, slimy skin, and a preference for moisture, you have frogs and it's time to learn how to get rid of frogs if they're causing you problems!
The Best Products For How To Get Rid Of Frogs
Getting rid of frogs generally means reducing their food source.
Finding the right method for how to get rid of frogs can be tricky, especially if these frogs on your property are endangered or protected. The good news is that many products for how to get rid of frogs don't technically affect frogs at all.
In fact, if you do have a large number of frogs on your property, one of the first things we recommend you do is invest in a good insect control spray or repellent.
This will help remove the frogs' food sources and thus should help to reduce the frogs off the top. Another way to go about how to get rid of frogs is to work on relocating them. Again, before you decide to relocate frogs, it's important to try and find out which species you're dealing with.
We have listed a few different products you can use for how to get rid of frogs and their food sources, so hopefully you can find product that is right for your unique situation.
Wondercide -EcoTreat Pest Control Spray
First on our list of products for how to get rid of frogs is a product you probably didn't expect – it's a pest control spray for insects!
Wondercide pest control spray is an all natural spray designed to repel and remove insects, many of which are on a frog's list of favorite foods.
This product specifically works to repel mosquitoes, flies and roaches using essential oils and environmentally friendly ingredients that will not harm your garden or the planet.
Best of all, Wondercide contains a few essential oils that frogs are sensitive to, including cedar oil. This spray is also so gentle it can be sprayed directly on plants and lawns. Children and pets can still play outside and there is no wait time for this spray to dry.
Safer Brand Snake Shield Snake Repellent
Frogs attract snakes, but that's not why we recommend investing in snake repellent for how to get rid of frogs.
In fact, snake repellent actually has been found to repel frogs as well as their slithering predators!
The above snake repellent by the Safer Brand Store comes in a four pound order and is in granular form. It begins working immediately and is safe to use in gardens, on vegetation, and around children and pets.
We also like that this product can help repel frogs without harming them while at the same time protecting your home and property from snakes.
Natural Armor Animal And Rodent Repellent
If you're not sure about using snake repellent or simple pest control spray for how to get rid of frogs, we encourage you to try this all animal repellent spray by Natural Armor. This animal spray works for a variety of pests including frogs, mice, deer, rodents, skunks and more.
It is made with a peppermint formula that is highly repelling to frogs. We also like that this product is all natural and is safe for the environment, children and pets.
Portable Frog Trap
If part of your plan for how to get rid of frogs involves relocating them, you'll want to invest in a quality frog trap. Typical traps may not be as successful in capturing frogs like this trap, and capturing them in larger numbers at that.
To use this trap effectively, place it near water sources at night or even in ponds with frogs. Then check it frequently so that you can remove any frogs you have trapped right away.
RESTCLOUD Frog Net
A frog net is another essential tool you'll want to have on hand when it comes to how to get rid of frogs.
Keep in mind that frogs can lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime, and if you have any stagnant water sources on your property, there could be a vicious cycle of frog procreation happening here.
Using a frog net with a long handle is going to be key in helping you to collect and remove any frog eggs you find. Remember, when you do find these eggs, all you need to do is to place them on dry land in the sun and they will not hatch.
However, before you do this make sure you understand the laws in your specific region to ensure the frog eggs you are removing are not the eggs of endangered or protected species.
Best Products To Prevent Frogs In The Future
Frogs can lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime, so controlling how many eggs hatch can greatly reduce how many frogs you're dealing with.
Remember, getting rid of pests once they are already infesting your yard is always more difficult and more costly than keeping pests at bay.
Prevention is key when it comes to pest control, and this is especially true when it comes to how to get rid of frogs.
If you want to keep a few frogs around but keep the majority of them at bay, then the best thing you can do is control their environment. Frogs are very sensitive, and they will not stick around if they don't have ideal food, shelter and water.
Once you have figured out how to get rid of the frogs, your next step will be to control the population or to keep them from returning altogether.
There are a few ways to go about this, and there are several products you can use to help keep frogs from returning.
Take a look.
1/4th Inch Wire Mesh
Investing in a wire mesh fence after you figure out how to get rid of frogs can help keep frogs from returning. You can use wire mesh fencing to reinforce fences that are already protecting the perimeter of your property or you can post this fencing around ponds or gardens, or other areas specifically you want to keep frogs away from.
When looking at wire mesh fencing, be sure you get it at least ¼ of an inch in size as some frogs can be very small. It's also important to install it tall enough so that frogs cannot jump over it.
100% Peppermint Oil
As we'll discuss in more detail below, frogs are very sensitive to essential oils and especially to peppermint oil. You can help deter them by using a quality, potent peppermint essential oil like the one listed above.
This oil is therapeutic grade so it is very potent, and it includes a dropper to help you take more accurate measurements of how much you are using in any sprays to repel frogs.
Home Remedies Fors
Frogs are sensitive to coffee grounds and salt.
If you're interested in do it yourself pest control remedies for how to get rid of frogs, you're in luck! Remember, frogs are very sensitive. This is part of what makes them such great bioindicators.
You can use this to your advantage, especially if you want to know how to get rid of frogs without handling them, relocating them, or harming them.
Use Peppermint Oil To Make Your Own Peppermint Spray
Essential oils have been shown to work well when it comes to how to get rid of frogs, but we especially like using peppermint oil. Peppermint spray can deter a number of pests thanks to the potent smell that irritates a pest's nose and throat without harming it.
To make your peppermint spray for how to get rid of frogs, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 10 to 20 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- 2 Cups of Water
- 1 Spray Bottle
Combine the above ingredients into your spray bottle and then spray this solution anywhere you have noticed frog activity. Not only will peppermint spray work for how to get rid of frogs, but it can also help repel other pests like spiders, snakes, rodents, roaches and even bed bugs.
Spread Coffee Grounds or Salt
Because frogs are so sensitive to certain smells, textures and minerals, it is no surprise that salt or coffee grounds would deter them.
This is also an inexpensive way to remove pesky slugs from your yard or garden as well. Simply sprinkle salt or coffee grounds along the perimeter of your home or the border of your garden to keep these pests at bay.
However, be sure you do your research before sprinkling coffee grounds or salt directly onto plants or your lawn, as some vegetation is highly sensitive.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is another pantry item you may already have on hand that can work for how to get rid of frogs.
You can make your own vinegar spray by combining equal parts vinegar and water and then spraying this solution around the perimeter of your home or garden. Again, as with salt and coffee, be sure to do your research before spraying this vinegar mixture for how to get rid of frogs directly on plants or grass.
Remove Frog Eggs
Did you know that frogs can lay between 2,000 and 20,000 eggs in their lifetime? Sometimes, understanding how to get rid of frogs is as simple as discovering where they are laying their eggs and then removing these eggs so they will not hatch.
Most frogs lay their eggs in water, and these eggs generally float towards the surface of the water or near the edge of the pond or lake. Take time to investigate water sources around your property and look for signs of eggs.
If you find them, simply remove them and place them in the sun. The sun will dry the eggs out and they will not develop or hatch. This simple step can greatly reduce the number of frogs in your yard or garden and help you keep this problem under control.
Try Spraying Salt Water Along Borders and Walkways
Last, you can combine a few spoons of salt and some water into a spray bottle and spray it around your yard and garden a few times a week. Frogs are very sensitive to salt and as such they do not tolerate salt water well either.
Spraying salt water is also a somewhat easier and more efficient way you can go about spreading salt for how to get rid of frogs.
However, as with vinegar and coffee, remember that salt can be damaging to plants. Be careful not to spray salt water directly on vegetation.
Keeping Frogs From Returning – Tips On Prevention And Maintenance
If you wish to keep a controlled number of frogs around, why not make a frog sanctuary in a dedicated area of your yard?
Frogs can be fun, but they can also be frustrating when their numbers get out of control. The best way to enjoy frogs from afar is to prevent them from becoming a problem for you.
Once you have managed to figure out how to get rid of frogs, your next focus should be on how to keep them from becoming a problem in the future.
Luckily, preventing frogs is typically much easier than learning how to get rid of frogs. You can keep frogs from returning if you:
Remove Their Food Sources
Basic pest control regimens can do wonders when it comes to reducing your frog problem. Remember, where there are frogs there are likely bugs. If you remove the bugs, the frogs will typically go on their own, as insects make up the primary part of their diet.
Remove Excess Water Sources
Excess water sources like stagnant bird baths, kiddie pools, overturned buckets, tires, and other debris or clutter in your yard can be a calling card to frogs. Frogs love moisture, and if they can't find it in a permanent water source they will seek it out from the next best thing.
To keep frogs (and many other, much nastier pests) at bay, remove any excess water sources around your home.
Keep Your Yard Maintained and Grass Trimmed Short
Keep your lawn trimmed, remove overgrowth, get rid of shrubs and bushes, and clear out old wood piles or debris. Try and think like a frog and remove any place that frogs may find to be an ideal hiding spot or shelter.
Consider Fencing Off Your Property If You Live Near Ponds or Lakes
Once you have managed to figure out how to get rid of frogs, we like to recommend that you consider reinforcing your property's perimeter using a mesh wire fence like the one shown above a few paragraphs up.
This will help keep outside frogs from returning, which can be especially helpful if you have a pond or water source on your property you enjoy and want to keep without having it infiltrated with frogs.
What To Do If You Wish To Keep A Few Frogs In Your Yard But Want To Control Them:
Just because you're looking into how to get rid of frogs may not mean you want to get rid of ALL the frogs.
Remember, frogs are highly beneficial. They're also fascinating to watch and fun to learn about! If you want to keep a few frogs in your yard but keep them from becoming overwhelming, many experts recommend creating an outdoor frog-friendly space in your garden that is just for them.
Do a bit of research on the types of frogs you are dealing with and dedicate a specific space of your property to these animals. This could include building a pond or providing a shelter, and keeping that area lush and frog-friendly.
Then do your best to monitor this space. Fence off your yard to keep more frogs from entering and control the population by removing eggs you find laid in the water.
And then enjoy!
We hope this has been a helpful article on how to get rid of frogs, or at least on how to keep them around in more controlled numbers.
Now we want to hear from you. What do you think about some of the products and home remedies listed above for how to get rid of frogs?
Leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thanks for reading!
How to Get Rid of Tree Frogs in Your House
Source: https://howigetridof.com/how-to-get-rid-of-frogs/